MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia women’s basketball team has wrapped up its final practice ahead of Saturday’s inaugural NCAA Tournament game against Miami (Ohio) at Hope Coliseum.
This 5 p.m. matchup, broadcast on ESPNU, marks only the second time the Mountaineers have hosted an NCAA Tournament game on their home court, and the first in 34 years.
“I’m really excited, and I know the players are excited to get to play here,” WVU coach Mark Kellogg said. “Pressure? I don’t know. It’s a privilege, I guess, if that is such a thing. I’m sure I’ll have the same anxious butterflies I have before every game.”
Senior guard Sydney Shaw expressed that scouting the opposition and preparing for the game in Morgantown has been very enjoyable.
Not having to live out of a suitcase offers a significant advantage for Shaw and her teammates.
“Every time I put my head on my pillow, I go to bed with a big smile on my face and giggle myself to sleep because I’m so excited,” Shaw said. “It’s a big deal to not have to pack your bags and sleep in your own bed.”
Jordan Harrison, a fellow senior guard and recent recipient of the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, who joined Kellogg from Stephen F. Austin, proclaimed on senior night that her team would compete in another game at Hope Coliseum.
She reflected on prior conversations with Kellogg regarding the prospect of participating in a game of this caliber and affirmed her readiness.
“I wasn’t even sad on my senior night because I just felt like we were going to be back here,” Harrison said. “For this to come true is exciting, and I’m just so excited about it.”
The RedHawks boast an impressive 28-6 season record, including a Mid-American Conference championship.
They have achieved this record through robust defense and a potent offense featuring contributions from numerous players across their roster.
“We know they come with a lot of scoring ability, and they are very aggressive on defense,” Shaw said. “We need to take care of the ball and applying pressure, playing our kind of basketball, will be our focus.”
Kellogg noted that the team is well-prepared for the contest, though he hopes his players don’t become overly eager.
“They’re used to winning right now, they’re playing with a ton of confidence, and they can shoot it offensively,” Kellogg said. “It looks to me like they’ve been known for what they do on the defensive end and now maybe in the third year this is the best offensive group they’ve had- they can spread you, space you, and they shoot at all five positions.
Before WVU faces Miami (Ohio), the No. 5 Kentucky team will compete against No. 12 James Madison, with tip-off scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
(Press conference video provided by NCAA)